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 do not undeſtand it, but thoſe who are unwilling to be tyed to their duty, and are afraid of being engaged to uſe their beſt diligence to keep the commandments of Chriſt: And ſuch perſons have no reaſon to fear being in a worſe condition, ſince they are already in ſo bad a ſtate. And thus much may ſuffice for anſwer to the firſt Objection concerning the great danger of unworthy receiving this holy Sacrament! I ſhall proceed to the

2.Second Objection, which was this; That ſo much preparation and worthineſs being required to our worthy receiving, the more timorous

ſort of Chriſtians can never think themſelves duly enough qualified for ſo ſacred an Action.

For a full anſwer to this Objection, I ſhall endeavour briefly to clear these ''Three things. First'', That every degree of Imperfection in our preparation for this Sacrament is not a ſufficient reaſon for men to refrain from it. Secondly, That a total want of a due preparation, not only in the degree but it in the main and ſubſtance of it, though it render us unfit at preſent to receive this Sacrament, yet it does by no means excuſe our neglect of it. Thirdly, That the proper inference and concluſion from the total want of a due preparation, is not to caſt off all thoughts of receiving the Sacrament, but immediatly to ſet upon the work of preparation, that ſo we may be fit to receive it. And if I can clearly make out theſe three things, I hope this Objection is fully anſwered.

I That every degree of Imperfection in our preparation for this Sacrament is not a ſufficient reaſon

for men to abſtain from it; for then no man ſhould ever receive it: For who is every way worthy, and in all degrees and reſpects duly qualified, to approach the preſence of God in any of the duties of his Worſhip and Service? Who can waſh his hands in innocency that ſo he be perfectly fit to approach God's Altar? There is not a man on earth that lives and ſins not. The Graces of the beſt men are imperfect, and every imperfection in grace and goodneſs is an imperfection in the diſpoſition & preparation of our minds